Sousse
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Tips
10 places on the map
Top 10
- 1
UNESCO-listed walled old town of souks and mosques
- Tip: Go early
2 tips
- Bargain politely
- Easy to get lost, use a map
📷 Photos
- 2
9th-century fortified monastery with a tall watchtower
3 tips
- Climb the tower for views
- Allow 45 minutes
- Small entry fee
📷 Photos
- 3
9th-century fortress-like mosque
- Tip: Dress code
2 tips
- Non-Muslims view from the courtyard
- Check opening hours
📷 Photos
- 4
Roman mosaics and finds housed in the Kasbah
3 tips
- Second-largest mosaic collection in Tunisia
- Allow 1.5 hours
- Check opening days
📷 Photos
- 5
Fortress at the south-west corner of the medina
3 tips
- Includes the museum
- Good views from the tower
- Pair with Khalef Tower
📷 Photos
- 6
Early Christian underground burial galleries
3 tips
- Take a guide
- Tight, low corridors
- Allow 45 minutes
📷 Photos
- 7
Marina resort with Andalusian-style architecture
- Tip: Sunset
3 tips
- Take the small tourist train from Sousse
- Nice for sunset
- Boat trips available
📷 Photos
- 8
Roman colosseum, one of the best preserved in the world
- Tip: Go early
2 tips
- Day trip by train or louage
- Allow 2 hours
📷 Photos
- 9
Seaside ribat with views over the Mediterranean
3 tips
- Short train trip from Sousse
- Climb the watchtower
- Combine with Bourguiba Mausoleum
📷 Photos
- 10
Main city beach north of the port
3 tips
- Busy in July and August
- Hotel beach clubs available
- Warm water in summer
📷 Photos
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Before you go: Sousse tips
Transportation
- Ride the Métro du Sahel: this coastal train links Sousse with Monastir and Mahdia cheaply, and also stops near Monastir airport.
- Use metered taxis: yellow taxis should run the meter; if the driver refuses, agree the fare clearly before you start the journey.
- Try louages: shared minivans leave from the louage station when full and run to Tunis, Kairouan and other towns, fast and cheap.
Security
- Ignore fake guides: in the medina, friendly strangers may offer to show you the way and then demand money or lead you to shops.
- Protect valuables: keep bags closed and phones secure in crowded souks and on the beach, where petty theft can happen.
- Handle unwanted attention: firm, polite refusals work best with persistent vendors; dressing modestly can reduce hassle.
Saving
- Eat street food: try brik, fricassé sandwiches, lablebi chickpea soup and casse-croûte for very little at local snack shops.
- Bargain in the souks: prices in the medina are usually negotiable; start low, stay friendly and compare a few shops first.
- Avoid hotel exchange: use bank ATMs or exchange offices for dinars, and keep receipts, since the dinar cannot be taken out of Tunisia.
Weather/Clothing
- Prepare for hot summers: July and August are hot and sunny; bring light, breathable clothing, a hat and plenty of sunscreen.
- Bring layers in winter: winters are mild but can be rainy and cool, especially at night, so pack a sweater and light jacket.
- Dress modestly in the medina: covering shoulders and knees is respectful in the old town, even though beachwear is fine on the sand.
Cultural
- Respect mosques: non-Muslims usually cannot enter prayer halls; admire the Great Mosque from the courtyard where allowed.
- Observe Ramadan customs: during Ramadan, avoid eating or drinking in public during the day and enjoy the lively evenings after sunset.
- Sip mint tea: tea with pine nuts is a Tunisian favourite; accepting a glass when offered is a nice way to connect with locals.
Local Hacks
- Climb the Ribat tower: the watchtower of the old fortress gives great views over the medina, Great Mosque and sea.
- Visit the Sousse Archaeological Museum: housed in the kasbah, it holds outstanding Roman mosaics and is rarely crowded.
- Day trip to El Jem: the huge Roman amphitheatre is reachable by train or louage from Sousse and is often quieter in the morning.
1-day itineraries in Sousse
Only have a day? Each one keeps you in one area, from morning to late afternoon, with lunch nearby.